UNS — One of the work ethics in Universitas Sebelas Maret (UNS) Surakarta, which is contained in ACTIVE culture, is entrepreneurship. Including entrepreneurship in the principle of campus life, the students of UNS are expected to start a business that will help them become an independent person. This effort was made by Anglas Bayu Rendra, a student from the Physical Health and Recreation Education Sports Coaching Education Study Program (PJKR), Faculty of Sport (FKOR) UNS.
The student, commonly known as Aglas, has started his business in guppy fish cultivation in 2017. When contacted by uns.ac.id, Aglas reveals that his business is just for fun. “So, at the beginning of my university study I tried and start this business out of curiosity,” Aglas reveals on Friday (5/2/2021).
Starting from his hobby in guppy fish cultivation, Aglas continues the business to the point where it becomes the well-known ‘Jet Guppy’, with IDR 10-15 million in monthly revenue. He states that he was initially interested in guppy fish because it does not too troublesome. “I am interested in guppy fish because I do not need to care for its poop. As we know taking care of pets such as dogs, cats, or chicken requires us to take care of their manure, which is a lot of work. As for fish, it is nice to look at and does not need high maintenance for its manure, fish has high selling value as well,” Aglas explains.
Establishing his Guppy fish branding, Aglas joined guppy fish competitions. Guppy fish that are eligible to enter the competition are fish with wide tails and attractive patterns. Not only in Solo, but he also competes in the different regions such as Yogyakarta, Pekalongan, and Tegal. From all of those competitions, he becomes the winner in 7 (seven) national competition. Even greater, he also becomes a runner-up winner for the Juve pattern category in the Swasti International Guppy Festival, which took place in Plaza Ambarrukmo Mall Yogyakarta last 2019.
During this Covid-19 pandemic, Aglas admits that the guppy fish sales are increasing. Since 2020, he decided to focus on certain guppy fish quality, which normally sold at IDR 100,000-3 million per pair. He also exported his guppy fish to nearby countries such as Malaysia, Thailand, and Singapore. Communication with customers took place through Facebook. For the exported guppy fish, as revealed by Aglas, the minimum price set at minimum USD 50.
Even though he earns favorable revenue, Aglas said that he did not walk on a flower path. He faced many unpleasant things such as newly purchased fish either die or become ill. In the future, Aglas states that he wants to pursue his dream to be a teacher. Even though so, he will continue his guppy fish business.
Aglas left a message for UNS students who wish to start a business to keep on working hard and never give up. “Entrepreneurship equals hard work, must be strong and never give up. Regarding funding, many people think about this matter too, in fact, we can do business with other people’s capital such as being a reseller,” Aglas concluded. Humas UNS
Reporter: Zalfaa Azalia Pursita
Editor: Dwi Hastuti